It's been a month!

It has been a while since I have blogged and it feels like forever! The last thing that Daniel posted on here was that I was going in to Texas Heart Hospital for an Angio. Well, they did the angio and it wasn't successful. What I mean by that is that I went through the procedure and am still having the same symptoms. One thing that has been discovered is that when I make my heart work hard (ie running on the treadmill ect) my blood pressure stays static thereby causing my heart tremendous stress. Also, we have found that my vessels while they aren't blocked are not expanding and contracting (creating blood pressure issues) therefore causing my heart not to get adequate blood supply. What does this mean? It means that I can't exercise or perform strenuous activities. It means that I am still restricted from driving (I could pass out and cause an accident). It means that I am frustrated.

Daniel was brought home originally to stay until I am fixed (my word) but now due to a change in his orders he will be leaving shortly. While it is hard to be separated during a time like this, I understand that he has a job that he has to do. Thank God for email! :-)

We are asking that God give the doctors wisdom as they look at treatment options. We are continuing to believe God for my healing. Until then we take it a day at at time and thank God for everyday that we are given.

Let's Get Caught Up

Dilshani said I have to put pictures up so here are a few of her favorites.

Hey y'all, it's Dan.
Ok here goes. I don't know what everyone knows or as heard so, I'm going to start at the begining and go from there.

A couple weeks before I left to go TDY Dilshani starting having issues where her heart would race, and she would have tightness in her chest and difficulty breathing. Any of you that know my wife knows that that she hates going to the doctor, so she refused to go to the doctor at that time. About 9 weeks ago Dilshani passed out and was taken to the ER. From that time to this she has had various episodes of a resting heart rate exceeding 124 beats a min. and the additional symptoms mentioned above. 5 hospital stays later and she finally got in to see a cardiologist.

Last Thursday, the cardiologist decided to do a stress test. Within 90 seconds she had her first ST depression. Dilshani only last 7-8 mins on the treadmill. She lost all sensation in her left arm, couldn't breathe and collapsed. The cardiologist admitted her into Plains Regional Medical Center and gave her four rounds of Nitro to get open up her vessels so that the tightness in her chest would diminish. When they realized the gravity of what was going on they called me.

The cardiologist insisted that I come home because they didn't want to perform any procedures without me there. I was immediately recalled from duty and arrived home on Saturday. Dilshani's mom flew in on Friday. The cardiologist at PRMC told us that an Angioplasty and Mitral Valve replacement were necessary but PRMC couldn't perform those procedures. Dilshani was then transferred to Lubbock, TX.

So as it stands today, Dilshani is undergoing an Angioplasty as they have found no less than 3 blockages to the arteries around her heart. The extent of the blockages is as of yet unknown. The valve replacement is being put off until the blood supply to Dilshani's heart is restored. Dilshani will be admitted to either Lubbock Heart Hospital or Texas Tech University Medical Center today. I will post on here and let everyone know which hospital she will be at and her room number.

Thanks for your prayers we appreciate it!

Dan

We don't know what tomorrow brings...

I'm sitting at my kitchen table and for the last couple minutes I (Dilshani) have been just staring out my bay window. (Just for clarity, the image at the right of this post is not what I am looking at! :-) The picture to the right is what I shot at sunset in Ft. Walton Beach, FL last month).

Since the initial diagnosis I have gone through a myriad of emotions, I've been shocked, scared, angry and fearful. Right now I am at peace. Ultimately, God is in control. That is all I've got to hold on to today.

The things that I am thankful for are:

1. My husband was able to get home in time!

2. My mom was able to get here too!

3. I have awesme family and friends that are praying for me.

4. We have health insurance.

5. I get to enjoy this beautiful day!

6. Most importantly, God is in control.

Like my pastor has so often said, although I don't know what the future holds, I know who holds my future!